"In this little book, Dave Armstrong presents some of the Holy Father's
controversial statements, along with a survey of responses these
statements have inevitably elicited. He offers commentary on both, and
in so doing, he ably defends Pope Francis from the various charges that
have been levied against him.

"The majority of this book's text is
in fact lengthy quotation. This work, then, is an example of Mr.
Armstrong editing and compiling and commenting, and not necessarily
providing us with essays. But this simply means it's most fair to view Pope Francis Explained as a work of reference, and it should be used and treated as such.

"In
compiling this work, Mr. Armstrong saves his reader a fair bit of
research effort, and presents material to him in a way that is logical,
well-organized, and, most important of all, Catholic and orthodox. This
book surely will be a great help to anyone who'd like to know more about
our Holy Father's perspective, and will be a useful tool of apologetics
for those friends and family members who have misconstrued the words of
our Pope." [4-star review on Amazon by L. Robbins, 1-24-14]

"I finished reading your Pope Francis
Explained book yesterday. It was very helpful for me personally. Your
incorporation of so many good sources in the book was a perfect counter
to the Devil's 'divide and conquer'
strategy. With opinion so polarized about Pope Francis, it's easy to
feel a little isolated and unsure about what to believe. Bringing the
various arguments together in one place makes it much easier to see it
all in proper context. God bless you!" [John O'Connor, personal correspondence, 2-8-14]

A timely and much-needed book on the current
Roman pontiff, Pope Francis, who, since his papal election , has courted
both praise and controversy. In this survey, Armstrong takes the
reader behind all the myths, rumors, and media spin to reveal the
actual words and gestures of Pope Francis in their proper context and
meaning.

In this clear and precise work, Armstrong does the
work for us, culling from the pages (and webpages) of defenders and
critics alike, from the liberal media that makes him in their own image
to the radical Catholics that vilify him. The author draws on the
writings of scripture, former popes, and Church councils in support of
Pope Francis. What is revealed beneath all the confusion, is a humble
pope who is in perfect harmony with his predecessors and the constant
teaching of the Church.

The reader is offered easy-to-read
chapters on a wide array of topics, from Francis' surprising
foot-washing of prisoner's feet, abortion, homosexuality, atheism, to
chapters with deep insights on Mary at the Cross, and Pope Francis'
alleged Marxism. The chapter on Mary's suffering at the Cross is alone
worth the price of the book!!!

This little book should be in
every Catholic library, from the collections of scholars and apologists
to the bookshelves of ordinary lay people! For those who harden their
hearts and close their minds to this remarkable Pope, not even this
excellent book will satisfy. But for those who are genuinely seeking
truth, they will find clear and cogent explanation for what the author
concludes, in the words of Jesus, is the truth that sets us free!! [5-star review on Amazon, by Victoria Cecil, 2-10-14]

Pope
Francis Explained is absolutely amazing. I love
the way you methodically approach every chapter, dissecting every "controversy" and giving us its background and context, then taking us
through Church documents and Scripture to unveil the meaning of the
pope's action or saying in a new light. After reading each
chapter, I went, "Duh! Of course!" Yet I would have never understood it
so well all by myself! [impromptu remarks on Facebook from Michelle Muabana, 6-9-14]

It seems that everyone
wants to make the pope (like they often do with God Himself) into
their own image. Those outside the Church do this in proportion to
how “contra-Catholic” or secular they are: up to and including
atheists; as well as dissenting modernists and theological liberals
within the Church (the “cafeteria” / pick and choose types).

These all want him to
be so-called “progressive” and are more than willing to project
this attribute onto him, in a huge campaign of wishful thinking,
if in fact it is not there. This group includes (very much so) the
media.

They long and yearn and
(except for the atheists) pray for the day when a truly “enlightened”
pope will come around to bring the Church out of the “Dark Ages”
into our marvelously happy and fulfilled modern world: one who will
fundamentally change things. This latter expectation, in turn,
reveals their own fundamental ignorance about the role of the papacy
and the scope of his power, as one who preserves tradition and
dogma.

On the
other end of the scale, the radical Catholic reactionaries, on the
extreme right on the Catholic ecclesiological spectrum and a hair's
breadth away from schism, exaggerate new popes' differences (if any)
from previous popes, and become needlessly alarmed that the Church is
revising or transforming itself; going to pot because of the new
“liberal” pope.

Or,
conversely, if they actually like
the new pope (as they did, Pope Benedict XVI; as did also, mainstream
“traditionalists”), they do the same, but in an approving,
rather than disapproving sense.

Thus, we
have a scenario whereby folks on both the “left” and the “right”
of the theological spectrum massively misinterpret what a new pope
says and does. I aim to show both factions the errors and illusions
of their ways.

Unfortunately,
there is a third group as well: obedient, devout, observant, orthodox
Catholics who understand the pope's role and the nature and status of
Catholic dogmas (which donot and cannot
change), yet who are confused by something a new pope says or does.
Mainstream “traditionalists” (i.e., basically those who prefer
the Tridentine Mass) are a big part of this group, too, but not all
of it, by any means.

They have
no desire to make him into something he is not, whether to the “left”
or the “right.” Rather, their concern is to harmonize and
synthesize the pope with the existing tradition. Many Catholics felt
the same dilemma with regard to Vatican II, which was widely
presented (and/or wrongly perceived) as a departure from traditional
precedent, whereas in reality it was a somewhat startling and
dramatic but nevertheless consistent
development of what came before.

As an
apologist and observer of the Catholic scene, I have watched all
these dynamics occur with two new popes: Pope Benedict XVI in 2005,
and Pope Francis in 2013. I calmly observed on both occasions, that
there was to be no sea-change; only a change in focus or emphasis or
outward style. When it was said that Pope Benedict XVI would not
engage in ecumenical conferences as Blessed Pope John Paul II had
done (scandalizing a fair-sized number), I said that the two men in
fact did not differ in that regard at all. I was right. Those
activities were continued.

The same
is true today. Nothing essential has changed. What we have is a
striking, even “radical” difference of style and emphasis, but
not of substance. I
wrote in September 2013:

For all of you out there worried about the pope: relax;
chill. All is well. We have a pope who says the unexpected: a lot
like Jesus. And, like Jesus, those who don't get it and are outside
looking in, will misunderstand, and those who are in the fold will
grasp what is being said, in the context of historic Catholic
teaching, if they look closely enough and don't get hoodwinked by
silly media wishful thinking. Those who are outside often hear only
what they want to hear
(God loves everyone,
even sinners!!!) and
not what they need to
hear (stop sinning; stop this
sin . . .).

I also wrote at about the same time, in a letter to a
friend:

It's the same old dumb misunderstandings: media
misreports what the pope said; never understand what he means
in context, and in context with past teachings. Don't fall into their
trap! Pope Francis is a good Catholic; nothing to be alarmed about at
all. The world wants Christians to renounce their teachings. We're
the guys who have never done so. We keep the same moral teaching that
the Church had from the beginning: no abortion, no divorce, no
contraception, no same-sex “marriages,” etc. Virtually no one
else has done so! So the attack is against us to change traditional
morality, and we will never do that.

That is what this book
is about. For each “controversy” or supposed “scandal” or
thing that Pope Francis said or did that has people in a confused or
even (sometimes) angry state, I will attempt to provide a cogent
explanation, by first noting (using the “survey” method) what was
actually said, then how it was spun by the media and the religious
and secular left, and how it was spun (or received) by the religious
right.

After I provide that
documentation, I'll proceed to show that the pope is in complete
harmony with Catholic tradition, give biblical support (where
relevant and possible), and make further observations in defense of
the Holy Father, in my role as an apologist / defender of the faith.

My hope
and prayer is that my efforts will lessen the confusion of those who
are sincerely seeking what the pope intends and means. But for those
who don't care, at
bottom, what he
intends, the book might be said to function as an exposé of the
nefarious methods used to twist and distort his words and actions.

Monday, January 20, 2014

I
struggled for a bit with my faith, questioning Catholicism, . . . along
the way, I found your site, fell into it, read I don't know how much of
your work, all of it, edifying, all of it, opening my eyes time and
again. You turned me onto Chesterton! I wonder if you know how much your
work . . . has influenced others - and in a very positive way.... So,
my friend, thanks very much for your work. I do feel from your site that
I know you in some way . . . funny, I feel almost "big sisterly"
towards you! God is good!Catholic laywoman and missionary, 4-24-02I
. . . just discovered your website. Honestly, you guys - Scott, Marcus,
etc., etc. - are the best thing that's happened to the Church in a very
long time - here just in time to support those who will look and listen
during this time of trial. God is going to purify His Church, and He's
using the infuriating, godless secular media to do it - no angel of
Light, but a handy instrument to bring us to our knees. Thank You,
Jesus! God bless the work!Catholic Franciscan Friar, 5-30-02I have just visited your website after seeing your article in Envoy.
Thanks for what you are doing for the Catholic Faith. Converts seem to
have more 'fire' in them . . . The Pope said that one day there will be a
new springtime for the Church and - I feel - it will be partly due to
yourself and people like you.I am reading your first electronic book A Biblical Defense of Catholicism
and I find it very informative and helpful, answering some mental
queries. It seems to me that it is the converts who defend the Church
with a vengeance . . . just an encouragement for you and your work. The
details are very well researched.Catholic priest, 6-7-02 and 6-16-02I
really want to thank you for helping bring me back to the Church. I had
been away from the Church for 19 years . . . During that time I was
involved in the New Age, Buddhism, the Episcopalian church, and even the
occult . . . In March 2001 I started frequenting your site and read
many of the articles. Shortly after that I went to confession and
started changing my life. I am now a practicing Catholic, following all
the Catholic teachings, including Natural Family Planning.Catholic laywoman and "revert", 7-29-02I
love all your writings. Your website is awesome . . . I am a cradle
Catholic; never left the Church, but lived as a cafeteria Catholic for
years. I am now back on track. Thanks for all you have done for me
personally.Catholic layman and physician, 8-12-02Just
wanted to take a second to thank you for the tremendous resource your
website has provided for me in my attempts to evangelize the Catholic
faith. You never fail to have the answers I'm looking for. Also, I
consider your "My Respect for Protestants" a model [for] how we (as
Christians) should be conducting ourselves towards each other, as
apologetics so frequently degrade into stone throwing.Catholic layman, 9-15-02You
may be interested to know that on 1st of December this year I intend
(God willing) to be received into the Catholic Church ( technically
speaking I intend to be reconciled to the Catholic Church, as I am a
Protestant Christian ) This is due in no small part to an extensive
perusal of your site!Catholic convert, 11-19-02I
ran across your website while doing some research for our RCIA class
this morning before Mass. I am teaching RCIA classes on Marian Doctrine
and The Communion of Saints this month. I am anxious to receive your
materials! [she ordered all eight of my books in Microsoft Word 97
format]Catholic laywoman, 12-29-02If there is a site that deserves the title of "mother of allvoluntary sites" it would have to be the incredible sitethat has been put together by Dave Armstrong in Michigan.Armstrong seems to have been around for as long as any of ushave been searching the internet for resources on Catholicism.He has assembled over 1675 pages consuming some 4Mb of texton just about every single Catholic thinker and question you canname. Initially it was an entirely "love" commitment to the rest ofhumanity but since December 2001 he's put his money, or morelikely his faith, where his mouth is and he now does this full-timefrom his home and would seem to be almost entirely dependenton the beneficence of God sending a few donations his way and abit of casual work to make it happen. He also supports a wife andyoung family. This is commitment with a big "C". It is alsoCatholicism with a big "C" as well but don't let that get in yourway. Armstrong describes himself as a "Catholic Apologist,Evangelist and Author". This reviewer has not been convinced byDave, or anyone else, that tub-thumping evangelism andapologetics is going to "re-evangelise" the Western world butthat is not to diminish the incredible contribution this man hasmade for Catholics, indeed Christians, of all political andtheological persuasions by the resource that he has assembled inthe lounge-room of his own home. One suspects the tributeought to be paid to his wife as much as to Dave for what shemust have to put up with in a man as dedicated as this. If youwant to be "blown away" looking at the commitment of anordinary bloke who really does live his beliefs make sure you visitthis website at least once in your lifetime. It can be virtuallyguaranteed you will learn at least one thing about your faith thatyou never knew before.Website Review by Brian Coyne for CathNews - A service of Church Resources on 6 January 2003.I
and my wife entered the Catholic Church a year ago, and your website
was part of that. It was particularly useful after we announced our
decision to my wife's staunchly Protestant family.Catholic layman, 1-22-03I
just wanted to write you to tell you what a help your web-site has been
to me on my journey of faith . . . I thought I had already arrived at
the truth in the Eastern Orthodox Church. I was Chrismated 8 years ago
at eleven years of age, and have been a devout follower ever since . . .
One of the issues that prompted my questioning was contraception;
reading your section on this issue, and few other moral issues, I
realized this issue in particular was no minor,
"just-between-you-and-the-priest", kind of thing. What was wrong for
roughly two thousand years, is equally wrong today . . . Your web-site
helped me to learn the TRUTH of the Catholic faith, and dispel any
falsehoods I held concerning it, particularly in regards to the Holy
Father, (God bless him!) . . . I just wanted to thank you for all the
work you are doing on behalf of the Church, and let you know that God
used you to help me see.Former Orthodox, now Catholic laywoman, 4-26-03I
am a recent convert to Catholicism from Protestantism (just last week
at the Easter Vigil, actually) and I wanted to thank you. One of the
first things I read when I began my investigation into the Catholic
faith back in August of 2002 was your article 150 Reasons Why I am a
Catholic, and I found it very intriguing and inspiring. It definitely
encouraged me to read more articles and books about Catholicism. So,
once again, I wanted to say thank you, and I look forward to reading
more of your work in the future.Former Protestant, now Catholic layman, 4-27-03I have to tell you, I do so admire the work you do. I can assure you, your work is touching thousands upon thousands
of lives - and has been for years. Anyone - without exception - who's
even marginally involved in apologetics uses your website extensively.
At least that's been my experience. And the [first] two books of yours
I've read are exquisitely reasoned and deeply insightful. Whats' even
more impressive is that your love for this glorious faith is palpable. I
can honestly say there is no one involved in evangelism and apologetics
whom I admire more than you. And I don't say that lightly. I know our
gracious Lord must hold you in great esteem as one of his most loyal and
determined children - otherwise your cross would be less weighty. We
should all be doing more to support good and necessary work like
yours - yours in particular. And again, thanks for your wonderful work -
and for not giving up. What you do is so necessary and so valuable.Catholic layman, 5-16-03I
was brought up within the Catholic faith but at 17 I left the Catholic
Church to join Protestant churches. I came back to the Catholic Church
in 2000, fully convinced of its Truth and of its historicity. I left the
Catholic Church for a full 15 years before coming back to it. When I
decided to join Protestant churches at 17, I was almost totally ignorant
of the faith of my upbringing..
. . There was a point where I was so fundamentalist (Protestant
evangelical) that I was totally anti-Catholic without even knowing why!
(Like many ex-Catholics, unfortunately) I met and married my husband as a
Protestant and both of us were even ordained pastors in one of the
Protestant churches. My husband was brought up Catholic as well.My
husband fell ill during our ministry and we had to leave. After many
trials and tribulations and disappointments and mental tiredness, my
husband and I really didn't go to church anymore. We had lost interest
completely and for a few years we went to church very rarely. During
those times, I lost my mother to cancer and this really got me thinking..
. . I started becoming hungry to find out about the Catholic Church. I
had the Internet at the time, so I went in the search engine and typed
'Catholic Church' and came upon a most fabulous and exhaustive website
on the Catholic faith Biblical Evidence for Catholicsm! It
answered all my questions! I was soooo happy while discovering the
beauty and richness of the Catholic faith I would cry while reading the
hundreds of articles!!!Then
I went to Mass one Sunday morning (on Palm Sunday 2000) after 15 years'
absence. I was just soooo moved during Mass, it was incredible. I cried
during the whole Mass, . . . My husband became curious of the Catholic
faith and would ask me what I had read on the wonderful website. Two
months after I had started going to Mass, he joined me. The Holy Spirit
was working in both of us at the same time!I
think I’ve said enough for now but I can tell you that TV and the
Internet have been useful tools to bring me back to the Catholic Church!
So Pope John Paul II’s new evangelism tactics are very powerful! (and
inspired by the Holy Spirit!)Catholic convert laywoman, posted 7-20-03 on the Catholic Online Internet Discussion Board, See: http://forum.catholic.org/viewtopic.php?t=8778&highlightI
used your site a great deal in converting to the church, and I thank
you from the bottom of my heart for all your work. There is a real mine
of information here, and many people owe you a debt for that.Catholic convert, 8-13-03About
two-and-a-half years ago, while I was still in college, I first visited
your site out of curiosity concerning how in the world Catholics defend
their "unbiblical" doctrines. Because of a random search I came to your
150 Reasons Why I'm A Catholic page and needless to say I was shocked.
The way you defended Catholic doctrine in short logical points with
scriptural support sent me into a theological tailspin. I closed the
browser quickly, but I was still left with those Bible verses and kept
wondering how in the world I had missed the verses you pointed out.
Well, after about two years of study, graduation, a move to Northern
Michigan and lots of painful discoveries of inadequate Protestant
interpretations and counter-arguments, I finally decided to join the
Catholic Church. In fact, I will be starting RCIA next week thanks in
large part to your web site (and, of course, God's grace). Once again
thank you very much.Former Protestant, soon-to-be-Catholic layman, 8-28-03Your
gift of Catholic apologetics has blessed me in more ways than I could
ever express. More recently God has put several people in my life who
have been misinformed about the Church and I felt completely lost and
overwhelmed as I saw them somewhat open and looking to me for answers.
My boyfriend, who is probably your biggest "fan" then strongly
recommended I check out your websites where I now feel equipped to
reasearch, study, learn (for myself) and defend my faith when given the
great privilege.Catholic laywoman, 9-4-03It
occurred to me that I needed to stop and just tell you thank you, thank
you, thank you, and God bless you, God bless you, God bless you - for
your service to the Body of Christ. I've said before that I owe my
conversion in large part to your website. You've blessed me and my
family so much. I only wish I could offer you something more besides
kind words and prayers.Catholic layman and convert (from Worldwide Church of God), 9-9-03I
just wanted to say thank you for the work you do. I wish I had the
money to give to you to support your work, but we starving students are
pressed as is. I've found your first two books to be extremely useful in
my own apologetic endeavours, and they have been among some of the most
worthwhile purchases I've made in recent memory. I pray that God gives
you the strength to keep up such good work. It has been a great resource
and an inspiration. I look forward to purchasing your other books when
they become available in print. Thank you again, so much.Catholic layman, 9-22-03It is impossible to tell you how much I appreciate your labor.Catholic layman, 9-26-03I
am so incredibly thankful to see someone who is not afraid to stick it
those who would believe that the Roman Catholic Church is not a sound
institution. I myself am studying for the Catholic Priesthood, and have
very much enjoyed your writings about pre-Lutheran vernacular Bibles -
it's a comfort to know that someone has taken the time to do the
research instead of just perpetuating the myth that Martin Luther was
the first to write a Bible in German.Catholic seminarian, 10-7-03I
would like to congratulate you for a very informative website. The list
of Catholic and Christian resources you have included here is
exhaustive and if I may add, awesome. I have referred to it on many
occasions in the past . . . I find it to be an invaluable guide and I am
sure that many others also do. I truly appreciate the ideas and work
you have put into this web site.Catholic layman, 10-13-03Thank you for your site; it has been a great help to me in coming into the True Faith.Catholic layman, 10-13-03While reading a review on Fr. John Hardon's Lifetime Reading Plan
I hot-linked over to a Fr. Hardon website. From there I linked over to
your website. I could not let this day pass away without telling you how
deeply impressed I am with your scholarship and your technical
proficiency. It is the finest website of its type that I have ever seen.
It is marked in my Favorites and will be used a constant resource from
now on. Thank you so much for your work on this.Catholic layman, 11-5-03I
wanted to tell you that I am now a Catholic, as of a Nov 11th. It
mostly due, in order of impact, to 1) your amazing website, 2) the
Coming Home Network, and 3) Scott Hahn's conversion story. Thank you so
much for all you do. Your wonderful website had just a huge influence on
me during my journey to the Church, which lasted 14 months. I really
can't thank you enough for your apostolate. God is doing great works
through you. Thanks again for your website. I absolutely love it, and
tell everyone about it. Your website helped to make a Catholic out of
me, and for that I will be forever grateful to you.Catholic convert laywoman, 11-17-03From December 2002:

Your
website, however, along with CatholicAnswers.net, have been extremely
helpful, and I thank you for that. And since your website has been so
useful so far, I've decided to go ahead and get your books in word
document format . . . for my own searching as well as to share
information with my other Christian (some of whom are very
anti-Catholic) and non-Christian friends . . . I just want to let you
know that you are doing an amazing job and I look forward to seeing more
of the work you do to the glory of the Lord. God bless and grace be
with you.

On
April 19 2003 during the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Thomas More
University Parish in Bowling Green, Ohio I was received into the
Catholic Church!!! Thanks again so much for letting God use you to help
me along the way to where I am now! Your website, your books, and your
links and references were probably the most significant resources in
pointing me to the truths of the Catholic Church. I've gotta tell you, I
never would have imagined a year ago having as amazing an experience as
I am being a Catholic Christian. There are so many incredible things
that God has revealed to me through the His true Church, and there's
more and more that keeps coming. The Church is so, so rich, of course
because God is so, so rich! I'd tell you my wonderful experience in
detail, but that would make this email much, much longer than it's
already going to be.In
closing, I just want to thank you again for the work you are doing to
the glory of God. He has used it to make a huge impact on my life, and
countless others I'm sure. Since conversion, I've tried to make the most
of your website and resources, sharing them whenever I can with my new
Catholic friends, as well as my Protestant and non-Christian friends.
Thanks again Dave for everything that you've done! Praise the Lord Jesus
Christ!!!20-year-old Catholic convert layman, 12-2-03Last week I saw the The Catholic Answer Bible for the first time. It was fantastic! What a great idea! Thank you for your work and your witness. I have read Surprised by Truth about six times and have given away too many copies to count. Surprised was pivotal in my turning away from "cafeteria Catholicism." Again, thank you for your witness.Catholic laywoman, 12-4-03I
have greatly enjoyed reading your website when I have time. It is
simply unparalleled on the web. My wife and I were received in 2002 into
the Catholic Church (formerly Southern Baptist), and your writings
(including the Surprised by Truth testimony) have been a great
inspiration to me, and VERY educational. Although I am not able to
contribute monetarily at this moment, (I hope to in the future) I will
commit to praying regularly for your apostolate. The email updates will
be a great reminder for me to do that.Catholic convert layman, 12-10-03I
highly appreciate your great efforts, amazing scholarship and
enthusiasm to defend our Catholic faith against heresies. [You have a]
keen and logical mind . . .Catholic layman and professor of religious studies in the Philippines, 12-12-03Thank
you so much for your website, as I recently had to make a good deal of
use of two of your articles Dialogue: Should the Pope Kiss The Koran?,
and Are All Catholic Laymen and Non-Theologians Qualified to Freely and
Frequently Criticize the Pope's Opinions and Prudential Judgment?.
Recently though, in speaking with my friends, I had come to notice an
underlying tone of traditionalism in our conversations. That's where you
came in. Mention was made of the "Koran" incident, and some of these
people were quite upset. I assured my friends that I firmly trusted the
Holy Father and that if he did do such a thing - then I completely
trusted his reasons for doing what he did. I was able to find your two
articles that I had mentioned above, and WOW - did you explain things
wonderfully! I immediately e-mailed the links to these articles on to my
friends, anxiously anticipating their approval. Well, to say the least -
that's not what happened. Instead of debating them myself, I said that
every one of their questions were clearly addressed and answered in
those two articles. With this, some of these people became curt,
challenging and extremely defensive. I was asked to no longer address
them on these issues (ever), and to stop mentioning your name!Mr.
Armstrong, thank you for having taken the time to put up your website,
and to including those articles within. I agreed vehemently with every
single point that you made. Every one! Your reasoning is clear, concise
and totally in line with the teachings of Mother Church. Thanks again
for not making me feel like I was all alone in desiring to be lovingly
obedient to the Holy Father. Call me deaf, dumb and blind, but for me -
there's no other way. In the near future, I will be offering whatever
little bit that I can towards your support. You obviously deserve it!Catholic layman, 1-7-04Dave's Biblical Defense of Catholicism
web site and his friendship were among the factors that helped my
inquiry and my eventual Tiber crossing. I can testify to his friendship
with non-Catholic Christians personally; we built a good friendship when
I was Anglican. He has always treated me with respect, never was he
arrogant, triumphalistic or anything like that.Catholic layman and convert from Anglicanism, 1-30-04(writing on Patrick Madrid's Envoy blog)I
just want to tell you how much I appreciate your site and your hard
work. I just read all the attacks on your blog. You must be doing
something right to touch so many nerves. Your website has been
invaluable to my journey into the Church. I am to be received this
April. Your website was the first Catholic apologetics material I ever
read. Without sounding like I'm kissing up, thank you for being so
detailed and deep. Many other apologists are too simplistic to get to
the roots. You get to the root of error and axe it. Continue in your
humble spirit and love for Christ and love for your separated brethren,
it is so refreshing. I will support you by buying books and probably
donations down the road.Catholic layman and convert, 2-11-04I
wanted to send a short letter of thanks for the work that you do. I
just became a Catholic at Easter Vigil, after growing up as a
Pentecostal in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, and much of my
decision, and the information for that decision, was from your website.
So thank you for, as you say, taking the stumbling blocks out of my way.Catholic layman and convert, 4-18-04Thanks
for your great work. Your website was instrumental in my family's
conversion to the Church. We have begun sending your apostolate a
monthly check.Catholic layman and convert, 4-22-04Your
writing has helped me in many ways, more than I can count. Part of my
own work here in my parish is to help people connect more fully with
their Catholic faith through a renewal program and through RCIA. The
information on your site has been of immeasurable value in those
efforts. I am so encouraged when I see people embrace their faith more
fully, and get excited about orthodox Catholicism. (GKC was right on the
money!) You have helped me help them through your website and blog. If
your books provide a similar measure of help (and I'm sure they will) I
will gladly recommend them to others. It is a LOT of information!
Sometimes your work is frustrating, I know. Please take this as a note
of encouragement, for what it's worth. You ARE making a difference.Catholic layman, 4-26-04Thanks
for all of the good work you have done! I have found your website
extremely helpful: both your own personal writings (which have taught
me, not simply great apologetics arguments, but even better, how
to conduct dialogues in the most charitable way possible), as well as
the extensive links on your website . . . I have made your website my
homepage. I wish I could be a monthly contributor to help you out;
however, unfortunately, I am only able to make a one-time donation.Catholic layman, 5-11-04The
following unsolicited comments were from 14 different people in a
single thread on the Catholic Answers Forums (Discussion Boards); dated June 22-23, 2004:"Has anyone ever heard of Dave Armstrong?"He
is a convert (reconciled?) to Catholicism and I found a brochure
written by him at church this week on the 10 questions most asked of
Catholics. His web site has 150 reasons why he is Catholic. Pretty good
stuff."javelin35"I
don't know anything about him, but I have visited his site. I agree
that he has some great information, particularly for protestants
converting, or thinking of converting, to Catholicism. He seems to have a
pretty well formed faith. I wish that I was catechised as well as he
seems to have been..."OhioBob"I learned a lot from his website."beng"Yes a very nice guy . . . His website is chock full of helpfull info!"St Veronica"I've learned a lot from his website. He's very good in refuting non-catholics; specially anti-catholics like James White . . ."ferdie"Dave is Awesome! Super Links Page is a must!"john654"Dave
Armstrong has an excellent website and has written two books that are
very well done . . . I would recommend his books for anyone wanting to
learn more about the faith. He has a good chapter on the Primacy of
Peter.MilesJesuDave
Armstrong's site is one of the best I have found on the internet. His
site began my conversion process nine months ago, and here I am a
Catholic. He uses a lot of Socratic logic in his arguments, and simply
and clearly shows how sola scriptura is endlessly arbitrary and
the need for ecclesial authority among many other discussions. His blog
is also very good, but a little too much on James White at times. I
would recommend this site to anyone interested in the Catholic Church."OfTheCross"Dave
Armstrong's website was integral to my becoming RC. After attending a
Catholic retreat with some of my Baptist friends, and attending a mass
at a monastery, I became very interested in the Catholic Faith. I used
his website to study things like Marian doctrines and the Eucharist - my
main issues I had to deal with before attending RCIA. I began attending
RCIA after studying the Catholic faith for two years. When I was
beginning to attend RCIA, I told one of my dear Baptist friends. She
cried, I cried, and she told me that when I was studying the Catholic
faith to stick with the Bible. Dave helped me do just that with his
website, and now I am a Catholic today!! If you haven't checked his
website - please do so!!"journey"Dave's
website has also helped me a great deal. His articles answered many of
my questions and were instrumental in my conversion process from the
Evangelical church. His Catholic knowledge, reason and logic are
impeccable. A lot of converts like me have a great deal of admiration
for him because he has taken so much time and made such a wonderful
effort to spread the Truth of the Catholic Church. Many thanks and kudos
Dave!!"vangrosh"A FIRST CLASS APOLOGIST!!!"southernrich"Here's
another vote for Dave Armstrong. Dave Armstrong's award-winning website
is the best on the Net! If all Catholics could know as much as
Armstrong, and explain it as well as he does, not one would ever leave
the Church and we could convert the world."Katholikos"His books are in-depth and very readable. His website has many excellent articles.

Jeff Miller

Yes, Dave is awesome! I highly recommend his site and his books!QuispI respect so much of what you do. Hope to meet you in person some day.Dr. Ray Guarendi, nationally-known author, family expert, and lecturer, 8-27-04Here
is a donation that I've wanted to make for some time! Thank you for
your wonderful work. I cannot express what an incredible source your
website has been for me and my family. We are huge fans. My husband is a
convert (the brother of a Baptist minister) and I am a cradle Catholic.
Your work has been so essential to our family's dometsic church! We
truly appreciate the countless hours of work you spend defending the
faith. Please keep up the good work!Catholic laywoman, 4-18-05Thanks
so much for the tremendous work you do for the Church. You played a
huge role in my leaving sedevacantism and extreme traditionalism. I was
recommended to you by both Pete Vere and Jesse Romero.Catholic layman, 5-2-05Two
threads on my blog (first | second), originally having to do with the
average age of readers, provided an opportunity for commenters to say
how they found my blog or website, and (as it turned out) how their
conversion or recommitment to Catholicism was aided by my writings.Various Catholics, May 2005[Opinions on] Apologist Dave Armstrong? (thread on the Catholic Answers Apologetics Forum)Various Catholics, June 2005I
am amazed at your output. It is due to converts like yourself and many
others in the USA that I can realise even more fully that our Catholic
Faith is eminently defensible and that we can hold our own in the
intellectual world as well as be a tremendous consolation and help to
those who are at the other end of the scale, namely those with a simple
faith.An Australian Catholic priest, 8-10-05I
think you are a tremendous apologist for our Faith. In fact, I find
your knowledge to be encyclopedic. What a tremendous grace you have been
given. I have remembered you several times at Mass. God bless you and
your family.A Catholic priest from Vermont, 11-22-05Thank
you so much for your Christian faithfulness. Having been raised in a
protestant family and seeking God's Will for me, I have been led to the
Catholic Church. Your testimony is helping me and your writing is
providing much reassurance. I wanted to say thank you for all your work,
and may God continue to bless you richly.Catholic layman, 12-18-05I
am a Catholic living with a Baptist husband and inlaws. I have had a
terrible time in the last few years since I started going back to Mass .
. . My kids are excited and are happily anticipating their first
communion this spring and I am happy for them since this is a huge step.
Anyhow, I'm so glad I found you. I will be ordering some books. Thank
you so much again. I can't wait until I have the tools to defend my
faith and myself.Catholic laywoman, 12-29-05I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that Biblical Evidence for Catholicism
is, or was, the best apologetics site on the web. That is, measured not
by the regard other apologists have for it but by its evangelistic
impact.The
apologetical material is excellent and contains both original work and
the work of others . . . Not only does Mr. Armstrong cover a vast number
of topics, all of the material is well-written and interesting . . .
valuable resources . . . Very large collection of good Catholic links . .
. Wide range of theological topics covered . . .Todd Pellman, 1-16-06[he wrote the latest (positive, except for navigational criticisms) review of my blog at the Catholic Culture site (2nd portion above is from the review) ][We]
sent out our first check for monthly support to your ministry
yesterday. We intended to begin sending regular support awhile back . . .
I'm sure there are others like us who likewise have good intentions but
the distractions and the business of life keep them from following
through. The regular updates are really good reminders for those on your
list of how much your work has impacted their journey. There's no
better site for them to refer friends and family to when discussing the
Catholic faith. I'm glad you include an update of the ministry's
financial situation. The updates are also helpful to remind us to keep
your family covered in prayer. Thank you again for your work!Catholic laywoman (revert), 1-19-06I am just beginning my reading of your writings, but they seem to be exactly what I was looking for. Keep up the good work!Catholic (?) layman, 1-22-06I
began doing research. And I ended up where I thought I'd never end up
in a million years - I decided today to become a full-fledged Catholic.
And your apologetics had a lot to do with this. Thanks so much for
enlightening me. I'm pleasantly surprised that God's grace has led me to
the true church. I'm truly indebted to you.Catholic laywoman (convert), 1-23-06We
are so grateful for your ministry and how the Lord has used the
giftings He has given you to change our lives forever. We are now
passing on the fruits of your work to our parish.Catholic couple (convert and revert), 1-06Thank
you for your fine work on your websites. It is a blessing to the Church
that there are souls like yourself that care enough to invest their
lives in building His Kingdom.Catholic layman, 2-1-06Thank
you so much for all your work. With your help, careful, prayerful,
consideration of all the facts, and a whole lot of Grace, my wife and I
will be going through the Rite of Election this coming March 5. Thanks
again, and may God continue to bless you, your family, and your work.Catholic layman (convert), 2-2-06I
have finally made the announcement publicly that my family and I have
left Protestantism and are Catholic. Your ministry was (and is)
instrumental in our growth in faith. Thank you.Catholic layman (convert), 2-3-06I
just wanted to thank you for your work. I will be entering the Catholic
Church this Easter Vigil (from a Protestant background.)Catholic laywoman (convert), 3-6-06I'm
a sponsor in my parish's RCIA program and the group has gotten into
some pretty heated debates on Catholic teaching. I always refer folks to
your blog and library of articles to read for themselves how Catholics
defend the many myths of our faith.Thanks
for being such a great reference source. It is also nice to know that
this is not a hostile website that I'm referring friends to. They are
able to see that charity is possible even if they disagree with the
Catholic position.Thank YOU for a wonderful teaching tool for the faithful and perhaps soon to be faithful!!Catholic laywoman, 3-8-06I think your stuff is great; I've read A Biblical Defense of Catholicism, and it's in the process of converting my Baptist girlfriend as we speak! Thanks so much for what you do.Catholic layman, 3-10-06It
would be a great honor to have you attend my Ordination Mass. Your
witness of the Catholic faith was an important part of my conversion. I
will continue to thank God for the Spiritual direction you gave to me,
and to pray that your ministry of apologetics will reach many inquiring
souls.George A Burns, Catholic priest (former Anglican priest), 3-19-06I'm just a big fan of yours. I have many of your books. They have helped me return to the Church. Great stuff!Catholic layman ("revert"), 5-5-06Thanks
for the [electronic] books. I am really looking forward to reading
them. I wanted to let you know that your website was very helpful to me
in my journey to the church. I was received into the church last month
after five years of intense study and prayer. I was an evangelical
campus minister before resigning that position due to my increasing
Catholic convictions.Catholic layman (convert), 5-7-06I am writing to thank you
for all of your hard work. Your articles have played a very important
role in my recent conversion from Reformed Presbyterian to Catholic. I
was received into the Church this past week . . . My e-mail dialogues
with my pastor resulted in me being more convinced of the Catholic
positions -and all of these exchanges were sent to the elders and other
members of the church . . . Please, keep up the great work. It is
probably hard for you to imagine just how important your role is in the
Church.Sincerely and with gratitude, [name]Catholic layman (convert), 5-12-06I
recently was received into full communion with the Catholic Church
after being an evangelical Protestant all my life, and your blog and
apologetics writings were essential to me during the period in which I
was examining the Church's teachings. Your site, more than any other
resource, had clear, understandable defenses for Catholic doctrine and
practices. In particular, you deserve the credit for my ultimate
decision to join the Catholic Church rather than the Orthodox Church.Catholic layman (convert), 6-26-06This
brief note is just to let you know that my wife and myself do
appreciate A LOT your apologetics ministry, and we pray for you and your
family. It is very clear that many times you have to cover yourself
with supernatural grace to be able to deal with the unfortunate affairs
that explode in the net. Just know that many, many people really love
you and no matter what we stand by your side. God always bless you.Catholic couple, 8-10-06Very
nice work. First time seeing your work. I am a Catholic and proud of
it. I found your information to further edify my faith. Thanks for the
info.Catholic laywoman, 8-24-06Keep
up the good work! I was a campus minister for eight years before being
received into the Church in April. Your website had a big influence in
my coming to see the truth of the Catholic Church. May our gracious God
continue to bless your apostolate.Catholic layman (convert), 9-2-06I
love your books, love your site, love everything you do. God bless you
in your work. I'm very grateful for all you've done, and for all you
make available. If someone pitches a hard question at me, I go first to
your site. Then I send the questioner directly to the page that best
answers the question. I know it's going to be on your site. I pray your
tribe may prosper.Mike Aquilina, Catholic apologist; author of The Mass of the Early Christians and The Fathers of the Church: An Introduction to the First Christian Teachers, 9-4-06I'm a big fan of yours. Keep up the wonderful work.Catholic layman (convert), 9-5-06I
am currently going to RCIA and renewing my faith in the Catholic
Church. I was raised Catholic but have been away for more years than I
care to admit. I came across your website in the process of doing some
research on questions I had and it has truly been a blessing. I now
spend each day eating lunch at my desk just so I can visit your website
and learn more about the faith I choose. And I am happy to say, thanks
to God’s direction toward you to help me, it becomes stronger each day. I
just wanted to thank you for all your work.Catholic layman ("revert"), 9-20-06Your
apologetics ministry has been extremely influential to me over the past
three years or so. Your irenic presentation coupled with your
voluminous knowledge played no small part in my decision to convert to
Catholicism from my former strongly Calvinist beliefs. Your works have
helped me to better articulate the glorious truths of our holy Catholic
faith.Catholic layman (convert), 9-21-06God bless you and your ministry. It was invaluable in helping me start an apologetics program at [my church].Catholic layman 10-7-06I've
benefited greatly from many of your materials. You've done a great job
of reclaiming the Scriptures as evidence for Catholicism. I'd be very
glad to do what I can to contribute to your efforts. Please let me know
where you think I might be of most use.Dr. Robert C. Koons, Professor of Philosophy and Convert from Lutheranism, 5-23-07I
just want you to know how much your website has helped me understand
the Catholic faith! I was Protestant, Pentecostal to be exact, so the
transition into the CC was major!! Your biblical proofs have helped
ground me in my faith. Anyways, thanks again for what you're doing!
Please continue to keep up the good work Dave!!

Catholic laywoman, 5-5-08

Thank
you so much for your website. I've been using it quite a bit lately in
a discussion I'm having with Protestants. I also downloaded your
books. They're great and an invaluable aid. Keep up the good work. May
God richly bless you!!!!!Catholic laywoman, 6-7-08Thanks for the
excellent books and the priceless work you do - we all owe people like
you a huge debt. If our children are to be knowledgeable and strong in
their faith and convictions it is in no small part due to the tireless
dedication of people like yourself.Catholic layman, 7-29-08Thanks a lot for
your website. Because of your work, the work of Peter Kreeft, and other
Catholic apologists I am currently in the process of conversion from
Baptist to Catholicism. My first RCIA class was last week.Catholic layman, 10-8-08. . . I recommended one of Dave Armstrong's books, saying that his blog was instrumental in bringing me into the Church.

Gregory Watson, Facebook, 6-9-13

As always,
you prefer to find common ground, the things where Christians agree as
much as you can, while acknowledging that there are differences and not
shying away from those differences. That is is why several years of
talking with you, reading your posts on your blog and forum, and your
conduct was a factor in my crossing the Tiber.Bret Bellamy, former Anglican, Facebook, 6-12-13Back
in the late 90's I used to stay up 1/2 the night reading through his
website...I learned so much about my faith. His website was my first
introduction to apologetics.Anonymous Catholic, Facebook, 6-15-13I've found your work absolutely incredible. Specifically your method of
using Protestant sources, commentaries and historians to prove the truth
of the Catholic view and interpretation. The reason your articles and essays are so incredibly useful is because you
have synthesized all the available data and information into a very
ordered and succinct form. In other words you have done all the intense
work and to study an issue I just need to read your essay and you have
brilliantly provided all the data, summarized the evidence and explained
the Catholic truth.Jeremy Pinto, personal letter, 6-16-13 I
will be received into the Catholic Church on June 29. Your blog, your
posts here [Facebook], have helped me find my way. Thanks.Charles Walter, former Methodist pastor, personal letter, 6-16-13 Your writings helped bring me home.

Dave you were key to my initial seeking and conversion.

Nicole DeMille, Facebook, 6-27-13 and 11-18-13You, Patrick Madrid
and Dr. Hahn are my three "go to" Catholic apologists. I
know I might get some nonsense mixed in with the truth from other folks,
but not the case from you three gentlemen. You are always orthodox and
charitable. Thank you for your great work and may God bless you.Terence Stanton, Facebook, 6-30-13 A National Catholic Register article about your conversion inspired me
to send you a long overdue thank you for your apologetics apostolate.
As a high school agnostic searching for the truth, your website was
decisive in my decision to be baptized, confirmed and receive first Holy
Communion the Easter Vigil of 2003. Ten years later, I have gained a
degree from Christendom College, worked for LifeSiteNews.com, become a
professed religious with the Legion of Christ and am currently studying
in Rome for the priesthood. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you
for an apostolate that truly changed my life. Please let me know if you
ever find yourself in the Eternal City, so that I might thank you in
person.

Br. Michael Baggot, LC, letter of 7-2-13 Back when it was just a website, Dave's work was instrumental in my conversion.Laura Ostrowski, Facebook, 7-4-13 Mr. Armstrong's work was instrumental in keeping me Catholic back in 1997 when I had a "crisis of faith". Edward Martin Curtis, Facebook, 7-9-13 Dave, I have almost all your books on my Kindle. Thank you for all your hard work. Your website is invaluable. It's one of my first destinations every day. Paul DiGuglielmo, Facebook, 7-11-13. Thank you for defending our Church and for
enlightening us in the teachings of the Catholic Church. You truly
inspired a lot of Filipino apologists here in the Philippines.Marc Gamil, Facebook message, 7-30-13.Thanks for all the wonderful work you do here on
Facebook. You have helped me grow and understand my faith so much better.

Lill Goodwill, Facebook message, 7-30-13.Thank you for all that you do every day for our Church. You are an inspiration. John C. Curtis, Facebook message, 7-30-13.I
meant to mention how much good your Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths
has done me. Gave me some much-needed encouragement and support in
talking to non-Catholics/fallen-away Catholics/atheists. Thank you for
your work!

William Brandon, Facebook, 8-2-13

A Biblical Defense of Catholicism is one of the best books I have the privilege
to own and I have bought many copies that I gave away to family and
friends. It kind of started me on my journey to becoming a "learned"
Catholic. Before that I was just happy
to be a cradle Catholic who had no clue when it came to defending my
faith. Thank You Dave. You have participated in changing my life, the
lives of my relatives and friends. May God continue to inspire you and
May He bless you always!Michelle Muabana, 8-6-13

Thanks for being such a great Catholic
apologist. It was largely due to your articles that I was saved from the
sedevacantism dead end. God bless you for all you do for Catholics
everywhere.Harry Reyhing, Facebook, 8-25-13I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Dave Armstrong
is the hardest working Catholic apologist I know and barely scrapes by,
. . . supporting his wife and many
children. Seriously, he is an inspiration to me. Many excellent Catholic
publishers have published his books (including Catholic Answers), but
as I can attest, book royalties do not pay very much!Devin Rose, Facebook, 8-30-13 Dave
has done lots of work that other apologists haven't: see his work Pillars of Sola Scriptura for just one example. But his whole style of
providing wonderful popular level reference material is a niche that
wouldn't be filled if he didn't take the time to do so. His work is
valuable and should be respected . . . [his] work is much appreciated.L. Niall Quinn, Facebook, 9-4-13Dave
Armstrong is a big help to me in my journey of discovery and
understanding of my Catholic faith; hence, I would like him to stay as
an apologist, whether full-time or part-time, that is his call. But to
me, he is a big help and the Church is blessed to have him.Floro Fortunato Salvador, Facebook, 9-4-13Thank
you for all you do in the world of apologetics. I first encountered
your website when I was in college in the late 90's, I referred to it
all through seminary, and I've used your books and articles during these
8 years of my priesthood. Fr. Christian Johnston, Letter of 9-6-13Just a note to say thank you for all you do. I hope I can give more in
the future, to help support you. Along with my two parishes, I am the
Catholic chaplain at the local university, where so many students are
searching and questioning. I refer to your sincere and excellent work,
again and again. Thank you, good sir!

Fr. David Young, Letter of 9-8-13

My donation is a small token of appreciation for your tireless
commitment to the evangelization of a very broken and morally confused
world. Your work is unequaled in the Catholic apologetic world.
My life is so radically different since I began in earnest to learn
about the faith I received from my parents.

Don't stop your quest.Michael Alvey, Letter of 9-12-13 I just recently discovered your website. It is awesome! Can't wait to read more; especially some of your books. Keep up the good work!Rachel Eichhold, Letter of 9-13-13

I just ordered next big portion (I have almost all) of your excellent
apologetic books. I will try to support by money once a year. One of my
friend priest served a mass for you and your work. You can't imagine how you helped me to find right orientation in
theology. I'm very thankful to God for your great work. Please don't
stop! God bless your work!!!Pavol Hučko from Slovakia, Letter of 9-14-13No amount of money can pay you for the good you do for our beloved Catholic Church. I wish I were a rich person, because your check would have many more zeros.

Ruth Reed, Letter of 9-15-13

I have learned so much reading your books. Thank you!

David Wurst, Letter of 9-15-13

I
can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that Dave Armstrong's work has
been instrumental in both online and offline apologetic for Catholics.
It has helped my formation incredibly and his essays are more akin to
scholarly work than they are just simple blog posts. Since I benefit from his work daily, both from his websites and his books, I will be making a contribution. Thanks Dave!

Daniel Maldonado, Facebook, 9-27-13 Thank you, Dave, for all your wonderful work. It has benefited me much
over the years, yet I had never bought a book until last week (Pillars
of Sola Scriptura.) Tom Dieringer, letter of 10-7-13

I just wanted to shoot you an email to thank you
for your blog. I’ve followed it for years. In fact, it did play a part
in my conversion process, along with other apologist web sites and
resources. Having utilized a source like this and having picked your
digital brain for that amount of time I felt obligated to let you know I
appreciate you, your blog, and definitely your books. I have a few of
them and they have been very useful. I was formerly an evangelical
Protestant who did mission work and teaching ministry. I went to Bible
college and seminary, so I continue to reevaluate the theological
thoughts spinning around in my head in an attempt to be Catholic through
and through. Again,
thank you, sir. May the Lord bless you and keep you. I hope to read
more of your thoughts and research for a very long time.

William Missavage, e-mail of 11-22-13 That website helped in my conversion to the Catholic Faith.Rachel Dobbs, Facebook comment, after I posted a March 2000 screen shot of my old website, 11-25-13
That was the site (1997 version) that I found when I was first
researching the Church. It played a major part in my education, my
crossing of the Tiber, etc.Bret Bellamy, same thread, 11-25-13I
remember the old site; it was an important resource when I was
getting into apologetics around 1997, and really wrestling with the
"hard teachings" of the Church for the first time. I was raised
Catholic, but like many of my generation, my catechesis was horrible. I
count your site as a large reason I'm still Catholic.Edward Martin Curtis, same thread, 11-25-13Love
that old website, always have, always will because of the special role
it played in my conversion to a passionate Catholicism.

Nick Hardesty, same thread, 11-25-13I just bought and finished reading your Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries, and wanted to let you know that it's a phenomenal work. I was
raised in that mindset, and within the last year, Our Lord has helped
me see how sectarian and arrogant it really is. Your book finished off a
number of questions that had been bugging me. God bless you and you
work! It's deeply appreciated.Anonymous [due to his family situation], Facebook message, 12-1-13I
am a former Evangelical (and a former fan of James White) who came into
the Catholic Church this past year. Thanks for all your writings - they
were very helpful to me and my wife on our journey. God bless! William Sawyer, PayPal message, 12-24-13

Many thanks for your generosity and important ministry. One whole shelf of my library is
dedicated to you, as reference texts on so many important issues within
Catholicism. Because I teach the Adult Bible Study at my church, and
because I have been pushing to have a New Evangelization Committee
formed at my church, I want to have as much background literature as I
need to address the questions of nominal Catholics, fallen-away
Catholics, and non-Catholics. The fire that burns within me was kindled
years ago after reading your early texts, so I am internally and
eternally grateful for that. You and John Martignoni are my favorites.

Dick Neves, e-mail, 12-28-13

Dave,
I LOVE your blog and read it often! You were the first place I found
when I started researching topics almost 15 years ago when I had to
defend my faith and couldn't. You have helped me to grow and learn and I
will be eternally grateful!!! Very glad you are still going strong!!!

Lisa Marie Kipp, Facebook, 1-23-14

Dave Armstrong is one of the best lay Catholic writers around. He knew
the late Fr. Hardon S.J (perhaps a candidate for beatification) and was
deeply inspired by him. He can be trusted.Fr. John Abberton, recommending my book, Pope Francis Explained, on his site, Stella Maris, 1-23-14

I
just wanted to thank you for your blog and its predecessor. Biblical
Evidence for Catholicism was instrumental in helping me come back to
the Church after a nine-year absence. Without you, I might not still be
Catholic today.

Patrick M. Hayes, Facebook, 2-2-14

I
am not only indebted to your site and ability to explain the faith to
non-Catholics of multiple different worldviews but also I must say that I
am blessed by the gift of the mind God has gifted you with. I have
always enjoyed the angles and slants that you have seen in scripture and
tradition. I see some early church father-esque musings in your ability
to creatively utilize the scriptures to serve the Lord in truth! I
salute you brother!

Just wanted to let you know
I'm donating a bit of money, and that I appreciate you, your work, and
the years of blessing God has given me through it. I apologise I don't
donate more often, I really need to make a bigger habit of it. God bless you!Liam Quinn, Facebook message, 2-12-14

Thanks for all the great work you do for the faith, Dave. It's been of great value to me, and now my family!

Thank
you for your ministry. Your apologetics have played a big role in
helping me understand the faith better and have helped keep me in the
Catholic Church. I own several of your books and your blog is great!
Keep up the good work!

Daniel Rodrigues, Facebook message, 5-8-14My
husband and I are converts and you have been and are very helpful to us
in knowing, living, and defending our faith. God bless you and yours, and your
apostolate.

Beverly Ipson, Facebook, 5-13-14

Thanks for all your effort to demonstrate the biblical nature of
Catholicism. Your book, A Biblical Defense of
Catholicism, was the first book I read when I had come to the conclusion
I needed to enter the Church. Thank you for all you have done to dispel
the anti-Catholic myths. God bless you in all your efforts.

Wesley Vincent, Seton Magazine website, 5-31-14

Our conversations online were instrumental in my conversion into the
Roman Catholic Church! Thanks for being such an
amazing apologist Dave.

Kenny Winsmann Jr., e-mail, 6-13-14I
read with delight an article you presented a few weeks back about our
Blessed Mother and her Ever-Virgin status. It touched upon the so-called
"siblings" of Jesus. It was the most succinct article I had ever read
on the matter and I was cheering you as I read it. May God's richest blessings
continue to be showered upon you and your family. You are a grace to us
who desire to know the Lord more closely in His Holy Church. Pierre Masse, Facebook message, 6-24-14

In February, I was received into full communion with the Church (having
been a Methodist), and your writings were extremely helpful along the
way. You have helped me a great deal.

Reuben Slife, e-mail, 7-1-14

God bless you and all your excellent work! The work you have done has changed the world for many, many people.

Greg Oatis, e-mail, 7-14-14

Dave's
books were some of the first that I encountered as an early convert. I
have them all right here next to me, where I reference them frequently.
They have saved me big time on numerous occasions. I'm just amazed that
he has produced so many.

I so appreciate all that you do in educating others
on their Catholic faith. I know that I have shared this publicly about
your work, but I will say [it] again. Your books have helped me to better
understand my faith and to inspire others to embrace their faith boldly.

Diane McKelva, on her Facebook page, 7-17-14 and Facebook PM, 1-3-15

Dave Armstrong is a great apologist for breaking Catholic doctrine/teaching down in a way that's fairly easy for anyone to understand. Tiff Michelle Comiskey, on her Facebook page, 7-30-14

I love reading your books: practical and easy to read. I consider you an important factor in my conversion.

Carla Schultz, private message, 11-23-14I have a number of Dave Armstrong's printed books and 20+ electronic
books and find them invaluable in helping me gain further understanding
of theological issues, Church history, and down-in-the-trenches
apologetics with fair-minded Protestants, and more amazingly, Protestant
anti-Catholics that Dave wisely and charitably handles. I fully
support Dave's work and wish him continued success. Fight on Big
Dave!!

Mark Byrne, Facebook, 12-4-14

Your writings played an important role in my conversion to the Catholic faith in an overtly secular country [Germany].

Anthony Ruijtenbeek, Facebook, 12-31-14

Dave,
there are so many out here that read your work and admire the talent
God has given you for apologetics and who never write their appreciation
to you. I'll start the new year out with my gratitude for your
spiritual inspiration through the years.
You are bright and so much of what you write thrills me because it
gives me biblical and logical and brilliant answers. Thank you so much
Dave. And may this year bring you peace and joy and even more spiritual
guidance so that you may guide others. I
used to be a Seventh-day Adventist. Some of your writings
have helped me so much.

Teresa Beem, Facebook, 1-1-15 [she gave her conversion story on The Journey Home in Oct. or Nov. 2008]

The
full body of your life's work is a testament of the Holy Spirit working
through you. Well done God's good and faithful servant.

Gary Mitchell, Facebook, 1-6-15

Know that I appreciate your ministry and all that you do for Christ and the Church.

Bill Peper, Facebook, 1-6-15

God bless you, Dave.
You're a good Catholic man, articulate, intelligent and irenic, and do
fine work defending the faith. Don't let anyone discourage you from
that. You're an inspiration!

Chris Harvey, Facebook, 1-6-15

I
think your posts are always full of common sense (something many people
are missing) and your Catholicism posts on your blog were instrumental
in our conversion three years ago. So keep up the good work as you're able!

Kristi Dahl Anderson, Facebook, 1-7-15

Your
work has been monumental in my journey home! I share (and continue to
share) your articles, website and books to friends, family and
acquaintances. Your contribution to the world of apologetics has been
immeasurable...thank you for all you have done and continue to do.Dave's
website is awesome. I refer to it all the time. He is consistent and
thorough. I can't count the times his work has been invaluable in my
discussions with others regarding Catholicism - or for that matter -
Protestantism. Couldn't engage as effectively without you Dave. You are a
blessing to us worker bees!Michele Verret-Ayala, Facebook, 1-9-15 and 1-28-15

Keep up the amazing good work you do. It is so appreciated by so many.

Teresa Moore,Facebook, 1-9-15

Biblical
[Defense of Catholicism] was one of the key books that pushed me along during my
conversion. I was so "biblically" skeptical of ever becoming Catholic
that no "hack" would have possibly convinced me.

Scott Eric Alt, Facebook, 1-9-15

I am really grateful for your apologetic ministry and the service
that you have done for us Catholics. I have bought
most of your books in paper and in Kindle.

Rodney Evangelista, Facebook PM, 1-10-15 Great book [The Catholic Verses]! I loved every page and it helped me to find the fullness of truth in the Catholic Church.

Luke Westman, Facebook, 1-22-15

As
always, thank you for your work...I continue to recommend you for RCIA,
to my friends and anyone who would listen...You are balanced, fair,
reasonable and you love the church.

Christophe Maguet, Facebook, 1-28-15

I
grew up Catholic, went to a Catholic grade school and a Catholic high
school. I learned TONS from EWTN, Catholic Answers and apologists like
Dave Armstrong. Somehow I stumbled on an apologetics and ecumenism mail list on cin.org were Dave was the owner/moderator emeritus at the time [late 90s]. The
exchanges whetted my appetite for apologetics and engaging in dialogue
with those of other faiths. I think that was a real blessing for me as
it made me read and listen, dig and learn to try and find answers to
questions, look into history, logic and philosophy among other things. From that site I found the old Biblical Evidence For Catholicismsite. It was like another treasure trove for me. I spent days and weeks turning into months reading through Dave's articles and dialogues.
They really taught me a lot, not only of all of the aforementioned,
much of which I have never found elsewhere, but also for how to engage
in constructive dialogue with others, perhaps even if they are very
hostile at first. I am very grateful for all of the apologists, and
especially for you and your efforts Dave, as you were really the first
encounter I had with a real live apologist for the faith, and someone
who had been on such fire that you spent so much of your time doing
and sharing it with the world, even as you were working a separate
full time job at the time. Anyway,
thanks again for all you do and have done. I'm sure there are many many
others who have been blessed by your apostolate but haven't been given
the opportunity to thank you personally, so I'll try and kinda sorta do
that for them as well. Thank you from all of us.

Jeff Buchholz, Facebook, 2-2-15

I very much appreciate all your efforts and I am regularly enriched by them.Dave,
I think you are masterful both at what you do as well as the
intelligent and charitable way you do it. Keep strong, my friend!

Dr. Andrew Holt, professor of history at Florida State College (Jacksonville), Facebook PM, 2-11-15 and Facebook comment, 2-13-15

Coming
from a Fundamentalist Protestant background I need to hear and read
Armstrong thoroughly and often. I used to be taken in by [James] White's hyped-up
words, and it has taken me a while to get de-brainwashed
from his attacks. It actually makes me trust the Catholic position when
they are talking a bit confidently (and thankfully not
triumphalistically) about White being wrong. If anything, we need more
exegetically-inclined Catholics addressing White, not less. The false
triumphalism of White is exceedingly deceptive. Thankfully now (mostly
due to Armstrong) I am able to watch White debates and see through the
overblown rhetoric and triumphalism.

Justin Beers, Facebook, 2-13-15

I am a reader of your books. I am one of those people who knows what
they believe but can't express it. I like your books because they give
me a way to express myself.

--- Marcus Grodi (director of The Coming Home Network, and host of the EWTN television show: The Journey Home)

I highly recommend his work, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism, which I find to be thoroughly orthodox, well-written, and effective for the purpose of making Catholic truth more understandable and accessible to the public at large.

God bless you in your indefatigable labors on behalf of the Faith! Only God knows how many lives your efforts have touched with the truth. . . . God bless you and give you joy and strength in persevering in your important ministry.

There is someone out there who says what I have to say much better than I ever could -- the smartest Catholic apologist I know of -- Dave Armstrong.

--- Amy Welborn (Catholic author and blogmaster)

I love your books, love your site, love everything you do. God bless you in your work. I'm very grateful for all you've done, and for all you make available. If someone pitches a hard question at me, I go first to your site. Then I send the questioner directly to the page that best answers the question. I know it's going to be on your site.

--- Mike Aquilina (Catholic apologist and author of several books)

People regularly tell me how much they appreciate your work. This new book sounds very useful. Your website is incredible and I recommend it regularly to new Catholics.

--- Al Kresta (Host of Kresta in the Afternoon [EWTN], author of Why Do Catholics Genuflect? and other books)

Dave Armstrong's book A Biblical Defense of Catholicism was one of the first Catholic apologetics books that I read when I was exploring Catholicism. Ever since then, I have continued to appreciate how he articulates the Catholic Faith through his blog and books. I still visit his site when I need a great quote or clarification regarding anything . . . Dave is one of the best cyber-apologists out there.--- Dr. Taylor Marshall (apologist and author of The Crucified Rabbi)

I love how Dave makes so much use of the Scriptures in his arguments, showing that the Bible is fully compatible with Catholicism, even more plausibly so than it is with Protestantism.. . . Dave is the hardest working Catholic apologist I know. He is an inspiration to me.

--- Devin Rose (apologist and author of The Protestant's Dilemma, 28 May 2012 and 30 Aug. 2013)Dave Armstrong['s] website is an amazing treasure trove representing hours–yea a lifetime of material gathered to defend Catholic doctrine. Over the years Dave has gathered the evidence for Catholic teaching from just about every source imaginable. He has the strength not only to understand the Catholic faith, but to understand the subtleties and arguments of his Protestant opponents.--- Fr. Dwight Longenecker (author and prominent blogmaster, 6-29-12)

You are a very friendly adversary who really does try to do all things with gentleness and respect. For this I praise God.--- Nathan Rinne (Lutheran apologist [LC-MS] )

You are one of the most thoughtful and careful apologists out there.

Dave, I disagree with you a lot, but you're honorable and gentlemanly, and you really care about truth. Also, I often learn from you, even with regard to my own field. [1-7-14]

--- Dr. Edwin W. Tait (Anglican Church historian)

Dave Armstrong writes me really nice letters when I ask questions. . . . Really, his notes to me are always first class and very respectful and helpful. . . . Dave Armstrong has continued to answer my questions in respectful and helpful ways. I thank the Lord for him.

--- The late Michael Spencer (evangelical Protestant), aka "The Internet Monk", on the Boar's Head Tavern site, 27 and 29 September 2007

Dave Armstrong is a former Protestant Catholic who is in fact blessedly free of the kind of "any enemy of Protestantism is a friend of mine" coalition-building . . . he's pro-Catholic (naturally) without being anti-Protestant (or anti-Orthodox, for that matter).

---"CPA": Lutheran professor of history [seehis site]: unsolicited remarks of 12 July 2005

I am reading your stuff since I think it is the most thorough and perhaps the best defense of Catholicism out there . . . Dave has been nothing but respectful and kind to me. He has shown me great respect despite knowing full well that I disagree with him on the essential issues.

Dave has been a full-time apologist for years. He’s done much good for thousands of people.

You have a lot of good things to say, and you're industrious. Your content often is great. You've done yeoman work over the decades, and many more people [should] profit from your writing. They need what you have to say.--- Karl Keating (founder and director of Catholic Answers, the largest Catholic apologetics organization in the world; 5 Sep. 2013 and 1 Jan. 2015)

Whether one agrees with Dave's take on everything or not, everyone should take it quite seriously, because he presents his arguments formidably.

I like the way you present your stuff Dave ... 99% of the time.--- Protestant Dave Scott, 4-22-14 on my personal Facebook page.

Who is this Dave Armstrong? What is he really like? Well, he is affable, gentle, sweet, easily pleased, very appreciative, and affectionate . . . I was totally unprepared for the real guy. He's a teddy bear, cuddly and sweet. Doesn't interrupt, sits quietly and respectfully as his wife and/or another woman speaks at length. Doesn't dominate the conversation. Just pleasantly, cheerfully enjoys whatever is going on about him at the moment and lovingly affirms those in his presence. Most of the time he has a relaxed, sweet smile.

--- Becky Mayhew (Catholic), 9 May 2009, on the Coming Home Network Forum, after meeting me in person.

Every so often, I recommend great apostolates, websites, etc. And I am very careful to recommend only the very best that are entirely Catholic and in union with the Church. Dave Armstrong’s Biblical Evidence for Catholicism site is one of those. It is a veritable treasure chest of information. Dave is thorough in his research, relentlessly orthodox, and very easy to read.

Discussions with you are always a pleasure, agreeing or disagreeing; that is a rarity these days.

--- David Hemlock (Eastern Orthodox Christian), 4 November 2014.

What I've appreciated, Dave, is that you can both dish out and take argumentative points without taking things personally. Very few people can do that on the Internet. I appreciate hard-hitting debate that isn't taken personally.

--- Dr. Lydia McGrew (Anglican), 12 November 2014.

Dave Armstrong is a friend of mine with whom I've had many discussions. He is a prolific Catholic writer and apologist. If you want to know what the Catholic Church really believes, Dave is a good choice. Dave and I have our disagreements, but I'll put my arm around him and consider him a brother. There is too much dishonesty among all sides in stating what the "other side" believes. I'll respect someone who states fairly what the other believes.

Recommended Catholic Apologetics Links and Icons

Protestantism: Critical Reflections of an Ecumenical Catholic

Orthodoxy & Citation Permission

To the best of my knowledge, all of my theological writing is "orthodox" and not contrary to the official dogmatic and magisterial teaching of the Catholic Church. In the event of any (unintentional) doctrinal or moral error on my part having been undeniably demonstrated to be contrary to the Sacred Tradition of the Catholic Church, I will gladly and wholeheartedly submit to the authority and wisdom of the Church (Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Timothy 3:15).

All material contained herein is written by Dave Armstrong (all rights reserved) unless otherwise noted. Please retain full copyright, URL, and author information when downloading and/or forwarding this material to others. This information is intended for educational, spiritual enrichment, recreational, non-profitpurposes only, and is not to be exchanged for monetary compensation under any circumstances (Exodus 20:15-16).